A Hike. A Blue Sky. A Revelation.

In an effort to keep spending to a minimum, I have recently taken up hiking. I’m fortunate to live in an area that is blessed with four seasons and a plethora of trails. Last week I was out for a mid-day hike. It was one of the first cold days of the new year and it was breathtaking. The sun was bright, the sky was blue, and the air I breathed in was crisp and felt new. Each breath I took felt like a gift. And then I realized, It Was.

I walked deep into the woods on the trail that day. I enjoyed every moment of peacefulness. I could hear birds chirping and leaves crunching underfoot with each step I took. I paused several moments to immerse myself in my magnificent surroundings. I felt alive. I felt more alive than I have felt in a long time. No interruptions. Just nature.

I had a revelation. Yes, I am on the path to financial independence. But, NATURE reigned supreme on that blustery, winter day. That day I didn’t care what the stock market was doing or how many notifications I had on my smartphone. I was back to basics and realized that THIS is what living was all about. I’ll eventually reach my FI goals as scheduled. For now, I’m living for today and enjoying every step along the way.

I love this! I know that feeling, and your description is perfect… I can picture it exactly. Hiking is a new activity for me as well and I really can’t believe I have been missing this all my life. My parents just weren’t outdoorsy. But it’s never too late!